The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-08
THE KISS OF DEATH.
Story of "a Strange Superstition Among Mon
terey Mexicans.


From the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Santa Cruz ghost which is cngrossing tho
attention of citizens of that famous Watering
place by its midnight revelres, recalls legend
of San Juan, in the adjoining county, told the
writer many years ago by narrator no less
credible than a good old Spanish priest, with
| whom the writer happened to be staying ON
few days visit.
One morning after breakfast / expressed q
wish TO stroll into tho ancient graveyard at
tached to the old adobe church Of that quaint
little Mexican town. The old padre, with tho
kindness and courtesy Characteristic Of the
simple missionary fathers, at once acceded
and accompanied the writer, relating as we
walked among the graves the brief history Of
some who lay quietly beneath. "Here," he
observed, with quiet smile as he pointed to %
grave in the middle Of the cemetery, "here is o
grave which The simple old Mexican families
around here look upon with unusual interest, if
not with actual awe"
"a murdcrW
No, mol Something much stranger. Ihaye
tried to combat the idea, and VIII | would be
addressing the people they would say: Isl, ST
Padre" They would assent to all ] said, but
the belief remained and does remain indeliblc.
"a spirit he went IN, sis said to have ap-
peared to every one buried in that grave and
TO warn the family whenever any Of them is
about to pass away,
ats appearance, which is generally made in
the following manner, is believed to be uni
formly fatal, being an omen Of death to those
who are 50 unhappy as to meet with it.
"When funeral takes place the spirit Is
said to watch the person who remains last in
the graveyard, over whom it possesses iasci-
mating influence.
eff the person be young man the spirit
takes the shade Of fascinating young female,
inspires him with q charmed passion and ex-
acts promise that he will meet her at tho
graveyard q month from that day. This
promise is sealed with kiss that communicates
| deadly faint to him who complies.
''Jhe spirit then disappears NosoOner does
| the person from whom ii received the promise
and the kiss pass the boundary Of the church,
ward than he remembered tho history Of the
spectre. lie sinks into despair and insanity,
and dies. If, on the contrary, the spectre APP
pears 10 female, il assumes the form Of
young man Of exceeding elegance and beauty"
The padre showed me the grave Of young
person about eighteen years Of age, who was
said four months before to have fallen victim
to 1t. "Ten months ago." the father said, "a
man gave the promise and the fatal kiss, and
consequently looked upon himself as lost. lie
took fever and died, and was buried on tho
day appointed for the meeting, which was ex-
actly month after the fatal interview.
"Incredible a5 1t may appear, the friends OF
| these two persons solemnly declared TO me
that the particulars Of tho interview were re-
peatcdly detailed By the two persons without
the slightest variation.
! "Ihere are several cases Of the same kind
mentioned ,but the two cases alluded to are
| the only ones that came within my personal
| knowledge.
| 1T appears, however, that the spectre does
/ not conne It's operations to the graveyard only.
/ There have been instanCesmcntioned Of its ap-
/ pearance at wedding and social parties, where
! 1t never failed 90 secure its victims by dancing
them into pleuhtic icvcrs.'
! On being questioned as 70 what no might
think Of such possible occurrences, the good
! father simply smiled and shook his head.